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03 January 2014

Chicken Poblano Cream Cheese Empanadas

Happy New Year :) To start off the New Year, I have a confession. I am jumping on the bandwagon and sprinkling a little cliche on that by making a New Year's resolution to loose some weight. I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism when I was 22 years old (nothing life threatening). And ever since then, I've been on a weight roller coaster. Add post-wedding fun to that...you know that lovely wedded bliss when you stop being super duper conscious of your weight like you were pre-wedding bridezilla, weight mode...you know...the weight you blame on your hubby (okay, maybe I just do that...) until suddenly you notice your in your "fat clothes." I'm there...

I've always been pretty good about the food I eat. Funny, yes, I am a food blogger who does cupcakery reviews. BUT I enjoy food. I am all about portion size. I love baking and cooking, but I barely eat what I make. And I love fruits and veggies. But I also believe in indulgence on vacations and holidays, as long as you get back to your routine. I also know myself and what works with my hypothyroidism. I work well with exercise. My sister, cousin and I are using this Make Me app on the iPhone, in which we pick weekly goals (we picked exercise related goals) and consequences. And to prove we did the exercise we have to take pictures of us doing it. Well, my sister and I are doing a combination of the 30 day ab-, plank-, and squat challenge. :) It's no cardio but it gets the blood flowing, you feeling good about yourself and you get to be loyal to that little lazy part of you that still exists ;)

Also, since I have been doing a lot of desserts, I thought a nice savory recipe would be great! Although For the Love of Dessert, obviously started with desserts, I have noticed that it's my savory dinner ideas that tend to me more popular. So I hope you like this easy way to make a puff pastry version of an empanada. I have never made an empanada, so I thought making my own dough right out the door would be tricky plus, being a busy, working wife -- that is not always possible. This is delicious and easy! And you get to say you made "empanadas" --it's a fun word, try it ;) The hubby and I really enjoyed these!

*To shred chicken, place chicken breast and 1 tbsp. chicken broth in a slow cooker. Cook on low for 4 hours. Using two forks, shred apart the chicken and allow to sit for an additional 15-20 minutes to soak up liquid.

DIRECTIONS

In a medium bowl combine cream cheese, shredded chicken, mozzarella and poblano peppers (and garlic, if desired). Season the mixture with salt and pepper.

Lightly flour a flat surface. Unfold each sheet of puff pastry. Using a rolling pin, roll dough to 1/4 inch thickness. Then using a 5-inch diameter circle-cookie cutter, cut out circles. Spoon 1 - 1 1/2 tbsp. of cream cheese mixture into the center of each circle. Brush the edge of the circle with beaten egg, and fold empanada in half. Crease and crimp edges using a fork. Repeat with remaining circles.

Transfer empanadas to a lined baking sheet and lightly brush the top of empanadas with egg. Bake for 30 minutes or until puff pastry is golden brown (it's okay if a little of the filling leaks out).

4 comments
:

Want to make your recipe because it looks and sounds fabulous. Problem for me is I'm about a 30 minute drive to the closest grocery store and I don't have puff pastry on hand. I'm thinking about using refrigerated pie dough at this point since I have all the other ingredients! If I end up making this recipe, I'll post my results. Thanks for sharing your recipe!!

Hi Anonymous! That is a far ways from the grocery store. I live about 5 minutes away and it takes energy to get there ;) Actually using refrigerated pie dough would be a perfect substitute. You wont get that flakiness of puff pastry but I think you'll get a more butter and stronger shell for the stuffing (as you can see the stuffing of my empanadas came out a bit, but I bet if you use pie dough -- you'll be able to seal it better! Go for the pie dough and save the 30 minute drive! Oh, and definitely let me know how it turns out! :)

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About Me

By day, I am a clinical psychologist. By night, I am a baking superhero. Just kidding to the superhero part. I am a dork who has way too much fun in the kitchen and who loves feeding her hubby! Thanks for stopping by!